Connecticut western news., 1887-10-05
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5, 1887.
LITCHF1ELD NORTHWEST CONFER
 ENCE.

EACE.
 The churches forming the Litchfe1d Northwest Conference held their annual meeting with the Pilgrim church of Canaan, on Tuesday, Sept 27th, 1887, and at e1 o'clock, a. m., organized by the choice of Rev W. s. Colton, of Warren, as moderator and Rev John DePeu, of Norfolk, as scribe.
 A frosty morning ushered in most agreeable day, and the weather was not more pleasant than the occasion itself proved to be. The hospitality of the good people of Canaan, and, of the Pilgrim church in particular, was abun- dantly shown, not only in the ample feast, so bountifully provided, in the hall, but as we'll in the genial and hear tywelcome extended by the church to all members of the conference and other guests who were present..
 Upon calling the roll of conference the following churches were found to be represented by pastor and dele gate, in .order; East Canaan, A A Lawrence Canaan (Hitgrim) ReyD. c. Stone, s A Eddy Sfh Canaan, Rev, D M Moore, Dea " Kellogg, Falls Village, Rev D. M Moore, Henry Bel den; Cornwall and West Cornwall H HitchcocksiE pntt; Kent, Dea $ N Stone Nortatk. Rex John DePeu, Desss A G Phelps, Jes S.awles Sharon, Rev James R Bourne, B F Gillette Salisbury, Rev John c Goddard, M l. Graham; Warren, Rev W Colton, Wm Carter. The church in Ellsworth was not represented.
 On motion committee of two, Rev JsQ- Goddard and Rev R Bourne, ssware appointed by the moderator to nominate officers and delegates from the conference for the ensuing, yeah, who reported as follows
 For standing committee-Rev E-.S Porter, ,Jr.. Rev J R Bourne, Rev J DePeu, Mir Samuel A Eddy.
 Committee on fellowship werk-Rev J c Goddard.
 Registrar of conference-Rev W s Colton.
 Delegates to state conference-Rev W s Cotton, Rev H G Hoadley, Geo B Burrall, Dea D l. Peirce
 The public services were opened by introductory exercises in singing by the congregation, and reading of scripture by Rev Dr H. Eddy, followed in the offering of prayer by the moderator. The sermon was an interesting and profitable one, and was preached d by the Rev J. R. Bourne, of Sharon, from the text in Nehemiah 13 : 31. " Remember me, O my God, for good" The develop ment of the theme ranS along the lines suggested by the teNs and ably unfold ed them, as showing: First, the inspir- < ed writer's choice and acceptance of God as his God {; in this ap example for each menbGf.af the christian church of to-day. Another lesson was Nehemiah s readiness to serve God at the cost of self-sacri6ce. He loved the cause of God, and his fidelity was manifested by his unsparing labors for the building again of the waste places of Jerusalem Gods servants ia tAese days must do no less, but more. The gospel implies more light and privilege, and therefore more responsibility. The argument c forfioy-i was here we'll applied. Then 1t was, also, an earnest desire of the prophet that God would do him good and that blessing was evidently expect ed to come ip connection with God s cause restored, and his own humble and faithful toi1s put forth to that end. 'God" and "good" are from the same root and all highest good can be found a7only in doing the will of God. Mean while we are to admire and initiate those men of the olden time in their faith and patience, and be careful lest, with greater knowledge and broader opportunity we show less zeal and inferior consecratlOn
 After recess of one hour, in which a most satisfactory collation. was served in the hall below, the conference assem- bled to hear reports from the churches in the conference of l.. N. w. There is not space to state fully these returns It may suffice to say that generally speaking, the reports of the work in these churches and of their condition were hopeful and encouraging, while in some of them-notably in Salisbury, Norfolk, South Canaan and Warren large accessions by profession have been made the past year to their membership as the result of special revival inhuen ces. Sunday schools, prayer meetings and the T. F. s. of Christian ,Endeavor were mentioned as exhibiting flourish ing state In some parishes the saloon influence makes it's baneful presence felt and in others the depletion of the population by emigration IS cause oi serious Encouragement es5
 The conference next, for an hour and half, listened to an animated and earnest discussion of the topic 1.-The relation of the family to the church, " which was opened by Rev DePeu, on the special aspect of the family as a .sDivine idea and institution of God for some great end in view. The speaker emphasized the philosophical basis of the household as shadowed in the idea by the Trinity in the God head, and the thought was happily un- folded and applied. The second main topic ..How the family can be made most efficient for Christ and the church, was opened by Rev J. C. Goddard, who illustrated anl enforced the peculiar spirit of the family : instance, an atmosphere of love, not of csercion not sparing the rod, how ever. when necessary-as bearing on the church. Rev Dr Eddy spoke of p,aver in the family us participated in family wise. Rev w 5 Colton pointed :